Shane van Gisbergen among favorites to win NASCAR Xfinity Series championship
Ahead of his rookie season in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Shane van Gisbergen is among the top group of favorites for the championship. Early odds have him placed in the top-10 in the series, but he’ll have to contend with some real heavy hitters.
In 2023, it was Cole Custer who walked away with the Xfinity Series championship. While that wouldn’t be surprising to most if you told them at the beginning of last year, he didn’t have a season like many thought he would.
Still, his performance in Phoenix was enough to make him the favorite to win again in 2024. The preseason odds at Draft Kings have King Cole at the top of the odds.
Xfinity Series Championship Odds:
Cole Custer +260
Justin Allgaier +350
Sam Mayer +600
AJ Allmendinger +600
Sheldon Creed +850
Chandler Smith +900
Austin Hill +900
Shane van Gisbergen +1100
Sammy Smith +1400
Riley Herbst +2200
Those are your top-10 in the preseason right now. SVG has better odds than drivers who have won races in the series. He is also favored among his fellow rookies Jesse Love and Hailie Deegan.
Shane van Gisbergen’s Kaulig Racing teammates, AJ Allmendinger and Josh Williams (+40000) will be valuable to the driver as he makes the transition to NASCAR.
Could Shane van Gisbergen win the championship?
When you consider there are six road course or street course races in 2024 for the Xfinity Series, you have to think that SVG has a shot. Not just at a race win, but a deep playoff run. That Roval race looks like a springboard to a championship, to me.
If Shane van Gisbergen can turn into a top-10 driver on ovals in the Xfinity Series, I think it’s game over for the rest of the field. He’s experienced, he does not flinch in championship situations, and if he has a shot, he’s going to make it interesting.
Portland International Raceway and Sonoma Raceway are back-to-back weeks for the Xfinity Series. Imagine if SVG pulls off wins in both races, picking up momentum in the summer as the schedule heads for Chicago in July. It could be a massive time for not just the driver, but the series and sport.
Compared to his rookie class, SVG should be the Rookie of the Year in 2024. I don’t think there is any reason why Jesse Love or Hailie Deegan should be better. Then again, that’s why they have the races instead of just talking about who is better.
The 2024 NASCAR season from Cup to Xfinity to Trucks is going to be interesting and fun. It could be a big year in regards to the future of the sport.